Hikers in Arches National Park

Photo by Alfredo De Simone

A Utah vacation is all about the great outdoors. Bizarre geological formations - arches, spires, fins and hoodoos - dot the land. Snowcapped mountains and desert dune fields define the horizon. Rivers cut arresting paths and wind their way across the state. More than 70% of Utah is government property you know. But don't fooled into thinking that a trip with kids is limited to taking in the scenery. In Utah, wildlife roams freely. More than 600 species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians have been recorded in this western state. What's more, Utah's cultural heritage dates back long before the white man arrived. The Fremont, Anasazi, Ute and Navajo have all called Utah home. Native American Rock Art adorns boulders and stones and pueblo-era architecture graces mesa tops and canyon rims. And the uplift that created Utah's varied landscape also revealed the state's earliest inhabitants: the dinosaur. Utah is a great place to dig for bones. But that's not all. Utah is a recreational paradise in summer, winter, spring and fall. Hiking, biking, climbing, rafting, horseback riding and skiing are but a few of Utah's outdoor activities that kids find fun.